The phosphanegold(I) thiocarbamides, Ph 3 PAu{SC(OR)=NC 6 H 4 Me-4} for R = Me (1), Et (2) and iPr (3), have been shown to have essentially linear gold atom coordination geometries defined by phosphane-P and thiolate-S atoms, and exhibit minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range of 1-37 μg/ml against four Gram-positive bacteria, namely Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus; compounds 1-3 are less potent against a broad panel of 16 Gram-negative bacteria. As the minimum bactericidal concentration values were quite similar to the MIC values, compounds 1-3 are effective bactericidal agents. The specific action against the four Gram-positive bacteria suggests they function by inhibition of peptidoglycan synthesis.

The Ph3PAu[SC(OR)=NPh], R=Me (1), Et (2) and iPr (3), compounds are significantly cytotoxic to the HT-29 cancer cell line with 1 being the most active. Based on human apoptosis PCR-array analysis, caspase activities, DNA fragmentation, cell apoptotic assays, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurements and human topoisomerase I inhibition, induction of apoptosis is demonstrated and both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis have been shown to occur. Compound 1 activates the p73 gene, whereas each of 2 and 3 activates the p53 gene. An additional apoptotic mechanism is exhibited by 2, that is, via the JNK/MAP pathway.

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Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 296 K; mean (C-C) = 0.007 Å; R factor = 0.052; wR factor = 0.151; data-to-parameter ratio = 17.6.In the crystal structure of the title complex, [Cu 2 (CH 3 COO) 4 -(C 12 H 11 ClN 2 ) 2 ], the complete binuclear molecule is generated by a crystallographic centre of inversion; the four acetate groups each bridge a pair of Cu II atoms. The coordination of the metal atom is distorted octahedral within a donor set defined by four O atoms, the heterocyclic N atom and the second Cu atom. The pyridine ring is twisted with respect to the benzene ring, forming a dihedral angle of 33.9 (2) . An intramolecular N-HÁ Á ÁO hydrogen bond is present between the amino group and a carboxyl O atom. Intermolecular interactions of the C-HÁ Á Á type link molecules in the crystal structure. Related literature

The title complex, [Cu2(CH3COO)4(C13H14N2)2], features a binuclear mol­ecule, which lies about a crystallographic centre of inversion; the four acetate ions each bridge a pair of CuII atoms. The coordination of the metal atom is distorted octa­hedral within a donor set defined by four O atoms, the heterocyclic N atom and the second Cu atom. The pyridine ring is twisted with respect to the tolyl ring and forms a dihedral angle of 35.34 (9)°. A bifurcated N—H⋯(O,O) hydrogen bond is present, linking the amine group to two carboxyl­ate O atoms derived from different acetate ions. In the crystal, C—H⋯π inter­actions link mol­ecules into a supra­molecular array in the bc plane.